Kia Telluride EX or SX: which trim fits Bowie, MD buyers?

The Telluride EX fits Bowie buyers who want the most seats and value for school runs and weekend gear, and the SX fits those who commute on Route 50 and I-495 and want surround-view, Highway Driving Assist 2 and a premium cabin. Kia of Bowie sells both, so you can price and drive the two side by side.

Seating, price and the tech that makes a daily commute easier decide this choice for a Bowie family, and the answer changes with how the car gets used. Start with the trim that matches your week, then test both on the same drive.

Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Bowie. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.

Which Telluride trim should a Bowie buyer pick, EX or SX?

Pick the EX if you want the most seating and the lower starting price for a family that carpools. Pick the SX if your week is spent in traffic on Route 50 and I-495 and you want the driver-assist and parking tech.

The EX is the family trim. It seats eight, which matters when school carpools and youth sports gear fill the car. A household that runs practices, weekend trips and carpools gets more from that eighth seat than from any add-on.

The SX is the commuter’s trim. If your daily drive runs through Route 50 and I-495 traffic, drive the SX first and ask about the driver-assist and parking tech on that car. Think of the choice as a question about the week ahead. Both trims are sold new at Kia of Bowie, so the answer comes from the car you drive, not from a guess.

How much more does the Telluride SX cost than the EX?

Kia’s 2027 starting MSRP is $43,790 for the Telluride EX and $48,790 for the SX. Those are the maker’s starting prices, so set your budget against the trim you want.

Our payment calculator accepts a trade-in offer amount, so you can run the same trade figure against each trim before you visit. If your budget is tight, put both trims into the calculator with that number and compare the two results side by side.

How many people does the EX carry compared with the SX?

Kia’s figures for the whole Telluride show second-row legroom at 43.0 inches and third-row legroom at 32.1 inches. Those figures apply to both trims because they describe the model line.

Cargo behind the third row is 22.3 cubic feet, and behind the second row it is 48.7 cubic feet. With the third row in use, plan youth sports gear around that 22.3 cubic feet and keep the bulkier bags for the second-row space. For a family that fills the car every day, the EX’s extra seat is the count that matters most.

Is the SX’s surround-view and Highway Driving Assist worth it for Route 50 and I-495?

The maker’s dimensions answer the parking half of this question, and the driver-assist half is a feature to see on the car before you pick. The Telluride is 199.2 inches long and 78.3 inches wide, with a 116.9-inch wheelbase. Measure those figures against the tight spaces you park in at Bowie Town Center and the grocery lots nearby.

For the commute, ask the sales team at Kia of Bowie to show the driver-assist and surround-view equipment on the SX, and to explain how each one works on a stop-and-go run through Route 50 and I-495. A test drive on the roads you drive every day shows the difference better than a feature list does.

Do Bowie drivers need all-wheel drive on a Telluride EX or SX?

Ask about all-wheel drive before you pick a trim.

Whether a Telluride you choose has all-wheel drive is a question for the sales team at Kia of Bowie, who can show which trims carry it on the lot. Ask that before you compare the EX and SX on price, so both quotes are for the same drivetrain. A family that drives to school, practice and the grocery store through winter weather should compare drivetrains on the same test drive.

Telluride EX vs SX: side-by-side figures for a Bowie buyer

Both trims carry the same Kia warranty, so the choice comes down to seats, price and equipment.

Because the coverage matches, the decision rests on the seats, the price and the drive you make every day.

What do Kia of Bowie customers say about buying a Telluride?

A buyer who purchased a new Telluride here describes a visit with no sales pitch up front and a move straight to pricing after the test drive. In a December 2025 Google review, Lauren J. wrote: “Came in and purchased a new Telluride. I came in with specific features in mind, test drove almost immediately, no sales pitch prior so I could enjoy the experience, came back and got right to pricing. Ended up getting a great deal and appreciate Amy, my salesperson, Steve, the manager, and Dante in finance making my expertise smooth and efficient. Would visit again for my next purchase.”

The review names three people at the store, the salesperson, the manager and the finance team, who handled the purchase from test drive through pricing.

What equipment separates the Telluride EX from the SX?

The EX and the SX share the same engine output: 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, according to Kia’s published 2027 Telluride specifications. The two trims differ on price and seating. The EX starts at $43,790 and seats eight. The SX starts at $48,790 and seats seven.

Kia’s EX listing names ventilated and power front seats. Confirm the seat equipment on the specific Telluride you choose, because the listing names the feature without saying which trims include it as standard.

A trade-in offer amount can be entered into our payment calculator, so you can run the same trade figure against each trim before you decide.

Kia of Bowie offers Kia leases, new Kia financing and financing and leasing options for all credit levels. Work out which way you plan to pay before you pick a trim, so the monthly figure on each one is for the same plan.

How many seats does each Telluride trim carry?

Kia lists eight seats for the Telluride EX. Only two Telluride trims carry eight seats: the LX and the EX. Every other trim in the 2027 lineup lists seven.

For a Bowie family that drives children to school, practices and weekend trips, the eighth seat is the reason to pick the EX over the SX. Kia of Bowie lists the Telluride among the new Kia models it sells, so you can ask for the EX or the SX by name when you visit 16620 Governor Bridge Rd, Bowie, MD 20716.

Which Telluride trim suits a Route 50 commute or a carpool week?

For a carpool week, the EX is the trim that fits. It seats eight, and Kia’s starting price is $43,790. The SX seats seven, and its starting price is $48,790, according to Kia’s published 2027 specifications.

Kia’s figures for the whole Telluride line apply to both trims. Cargo behind the third row is 22.3 cubic feet, and cargo behind the second row is 48.7 cubic feet. Third-row legroom is 32.1 inches, and second-row legroom is 43.0 inches. Plan carpool gear around the third row’s 22.3 cubic feet, and keep the larger bags in the second-row space.

For a daily commute on Route 50, the safety record is part of the choice. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2027 Telluride 4-door SUV built after June 2026 its 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award (IIHS, 2026). The award covers only Telluride units built after that June 2026 date, so confirm the build date of the specific vehicle you are considering.

For a solo commute, the seat count matters less, so price becomes the main separator. Run both trims through the payment calculator with your trade-in figure, then compare the two results. Visit Kia of Bowie at 16620 Governor Bridge Rd, Bowie, MD 20716, with or without an appointment, to see both trims in person.

Frequently asked questions

How much towing can a Telluride EX or SX handle?

Kia lists maximum towing of 5,000 pounds for both the EX and the SX. Confirm your trailer weight and hitch setup with the sales team at Kia of Bowie before you tow.

How Kia of Bowie lets you price both Telluride trims online first

Choosing between the EX and the SX gets easier when you can start the buying process from home. We offer a fully online car-buying experience through AcceleRide, and we sell new Telluride as part of our new Kia lineup. To start, use AcceleRide for the online steps, then visit us at 16620 Governor Bridge Road to drive both trims.

Our Google record is 4.4 stars across 1,460 reviews, and 80 in 100 of those reviews are five-star (Google, 2026). The same-brand dealers in this market rate like this on Google (Google, 2026):

Kia of Bowie settles the EX-or-SX question with a price and a test drive. Start with a trade-in figure in the payment calculator and a finance application, then finish in person at 16620 Governor Bridge Road.

Kia of Bowie answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Bowie showroom, or call (240) 927-4800.

Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Kia of Bowie for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.